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Equity Action Plan

Embedding equity in BoG decision making

Submitted on behalf of Equity and Human Rights and the University Secretary.

The Board of Governors is responsible for the management, administration and control of the property, revenue, business and affairs of the University of Victoria. Annual equity training is a regular part of the orientation for new members but in 2023 the Board of Governors (BoG) undertook tailored training with Equity and Human Rights (EQHR) on applying an equity lens to decision-making.

As part of their efforts to support the implementation of the Equity Action Plan, EQHR developed an analytical and practical tool to embed equity into the planning and implementation of any activity (project, plan, event, decision, etc.). Specifically, the Equity Lens ABCs tool supports the identification of new equity considerations and helps individuals or teams determine opportunities to increase equity and mitigate bias in decision-making.

With the support of the University Secretary who oversees the administration of the BoG, EQHR adapted the Equity Lens ABCs to support the BoG in asking equity-centred questions as they receive requests for approval and proposals on university initiatives, plans, budgets, etc.

Connection to the EAP

 This activity advances Equity-centred culture, Action 13:

Provide tailored training to key university governance bodies, starting with the Board of Governors and specific senate committees (Senate Committee on Academic Standards, Senate Committee on Learning and Teaching, Senate Committee on Planning), so their decisions are well informed to advance equity and build an inclusive campus. Lead: University Secretary

Impact

After the initial training session with the BoG, the equity lens tool has been integrated into the resource documents and guides that the BoG uses for each meeting. The result has been that the BoG members now share a common foundational understanding of key concepts and terminology that has informed their discussions and decision-making processes.

Learnings and reflections

While one-time training can encourage and raise awareness, in this case about the importance of integrating equity considerations into governance decisions, EQHR observed that reinforcement of learnings and examples are crucial for the adoption of new practices. To support the BOG’s comfort and familiarity with the tool, EQHR used the Equity Lens ABCs to show how they considered equity in each stage of the review of UVic’s Discrimination and Harassment Policy over 2023/2024.